Foundation Names New President!

The Board of Directors of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools announces that Sharon Wherry has accepted the position of president. She becomes the third president in the Foundation’s 21 year history following Barbara Bartle who held the position for 18 years but left in February to become the President of the Lincoln Community Foundation.

Wherry most recently worked for Time Warner Cable and Three Eagles Communications designing and managing cable TV and radio marketing plans. Sharon is actively involved in Lincoln Rotary Club 14 and served as District Governor 2008-09 for eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa.

 “Sharon Wherry brings a new dimension to the Foundation. She has a dynamic personality with extensive business experience,” says Steve Navin, Chair of the Board of Directors. “She served on the board of the Foundation 1996-2002, became a Trustee in 2005 and since 2007 worked as a consultant so she is ready to hit the ground running. We are very pleased that Sharon is on board.”

We did it...Thanks to you!

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools announced that we have reached our initial goal of $10 million for the Great Schools...Forever! campaign. Thank you for help to reach this milestone!

Long-time Foundation Director, Barbara Bartle, Says Farewell

After 18 years of leading the Foundation, Barbara Bartle is taking on a new challenge. She has accepted the position as president    of the Lincoln Community Foundation, and begins her new position in mid-February. Under her leadership the Foundation boasts assets of $6.4 million, and has granted over $22 million to Lincoln Public Schools for programs, awards, and scholarships since the Foundation's inception in 1989.

We wish her well in this great opportunity.

You will be dearly missed!

Runza's Great Books for Great Kids!

Representing Runza, Becky Perrett, presented the Foundation for LIncoln Public Schools with a check for $7,041.17! This amount will be divided equally amoung all of the schools in the district and be used to buy books for their library. Thanks to Holmes School and the students for being great hosts!

20th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Board and Trustee Luncheon

The Foundation held the annual Board and Trustee Luncheon in June at Southeast High. All were able to see and admire the newly renovated Jennifer L. Dorsey Howley Performing Arts Center. Thank you to Dr. Hunter-Pirtle and Southeast High for being such a great host.

Many past board members were in attendance and were able to give a glimpse of the beginning of the Foundation. Many spoke to the pride they felt as they have seen the Foundation continue to grow and live out the mission that those first committee members envisioned: to give expanded opportunities and assistance to LPS students, staff, and the Lincoln community as a whole.

Top Right: The newly renovated Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley Performing Arts Center at Southeast High  

Left: A Southeast Student speaks about how Fund-A-Need has impacted him and his new interest in Science. He and his Life Science teacher, Bee Loomis, said Fund-A-Need was like magic for their class, then they proceeded to pull this rabbit out of a hat. Bee explained that having animals in the classroom has given her students the hands on knowledge that expands their understanding of the animals they are studying.

Tribute to John and Nancy Stubbs

A tribute for John Dennis (LHS 1935) and Nancy Constantino Stubbs to honor their $1 million gift to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln High was held on Tuesday, May 26th at Lincoln High School. Captain David Volonino, former Commander of the USS Nebraska Trident Submarine, traveled from his home in Virginia to be the honored speaker. He spoke specifically to “our future”, the students of Lincoln High. He encouraged them to dream big and live a life of integrity and thinking of others, just as John and Nancy Stubbs had done.
As the couple directed, one-fourth of the Stubbs gift will be designated for Lincoln High School. The remaining 75 percent will be directed to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools’ John Dennis Stubbs and Nancy Constantino Stubbs Fund for Excellence in Education, for the benefit of all Lincoln Public Schools.

Above left:  The plaque that will hang in Lincoln High School describing the generous gift.  Above right:  The family of John & Nancy Stubbs standing beside the plaque.

The unveiling of the plaque: Barbara Bartle, Foundation for LPS President, reads what is inscribed on the plaque as Lincoln High Junior, Phoebe Perry, unveils it.

Pictured L to R: Steve Navin, Foundation for LPS Board Chair; Captain David Volonino, former Commander of the USS Nebraska Trident Submarine; Dr. Susan Gourley, Superintendent of LPS; Phoebe Perry; Dr. Mike Wortman, Lincoln High Principal; and Barbara Bartle.

Above left:  The presentation of the colors by the UNL Naval ROTC Color Guard before the audience sang the Star Spangled Banner.

20th Anniversary Gold Star Salute!

On May 6, 2009, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools held its 20th annual Gold Star Salute.  Over 1,000 people attended the event to celebrate achievements this school year in the Lincoln Public Schools.  During the program, "Gold Stars" from each school were recognized for their contributions, 20 outstanding educators and staff members were honored and scholarships were presented to over 100 LPS seniors.

The program culminated with Everett Elementary receiving the 2009 Wells Fargo Bank-Lincoln Benefit Life Gold Star School Award.  

The evening was made possible by our event sponsors:  96KX, The Dillon Foundation, Wells Fargo, Ameritas, Hyvee, Gallup, and Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Nebraska.

Thanks to all who contributed to make this evening a huge success! 

Pictured here: Thomas Christie of LPSDO, Vann Price,            Pictured here: Lucy Buntain Comine, Kyle Cartwright,    Pictured here: Kathryn Moore, the winner of the Leola Bullock Award, and Leola                       the recipient of the Anne S. Buntain Scholarship, and        recipient of the Jennifer Dorsey Bullock.                                                                                          Bill Buntain.                                                                           Howley Memorial Scholarship, and Deb Coyle.

Prize Patrol for Educator Awards!

State Farm along with the Foundation recently went on "Prize Patrol" to several Lincoln Schools. We were surprising the winners of the State Farm Insurance Companies Outstanding Educator Awards with the help and careful planning of their principals. Listed below are the winners of the 2009 Foundation outstanding educator awards.

State Farm Insurance Companies Oustanding Educator Awards

Scott Bendler- Bryan Community

Mickie Frazier-Koontz- Park Middle School

Tim Golden- Southwest High School

Sydney Tetrault- Bryan Community

Kristy Voigt- Elliot Elementary (pictured, 2nd from left)

Helen Krieger Outstanding Healthcare Provider Award

Kay Holt- Southwest High School

John Prasch Health and Physical Fitness Award

Sara Rice- Holmes Elementary

NHI Outstanding Science Educator Award

Rochelle Settles- Fredstrom Elementary

Russwood Outstanding Science Educator Award

Jim Rynearson- Lincoln High School

Marie Bourke Leadership Award-De Ann Currin, Elliott Elementary

R.L. Fredstrom Leadership Award-Terry Ough, LPSDO

Wells Fargo Builds

Wells Fargo Foundation was recognized for their generous $30,000 gift to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools. Wells Fargo Foundation, on behalf of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, awarded the Foundation their Team Member Volunteer Program grant to help finance the construction of a new home at 2835 S Street. The house is being built by NeighborWorks and Lincoln High and Bryan Community students. Along with funding, Wells Fargo employees are volunteering their time and energy to make this house a reality.

For the last 20 years LPS has teamed up with NeighborWorks to build twenty-two quality homes for first time homebuyers. It is estimated that over 350 students have participated since the program's inception. NeighborWorks Lincoln is a non-profit, community-based housing organization dedicted to community revitalization.

The house is expected to be completed by June. Thanks Wells Fargo!

The Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Southeast

The grand opening and dedication of Southeast High School's Jennifer L. Dorsey-Howley Performing Arts Center was held on February 12. The Performing Arts Center bears the name of this 1985 Lincoln Southeast graduate and AON Corporation Director who lost her life on September 11, 2001 in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. This auditorium serves to memorialize Jennifer and her love of the Fine Arts and Lincoln Southeast High School.

Following the dedication Southeast students performed "The Choir," a play written by Southeast graduate and New York Playwright Chris Cartmill in honor of Dorsey-Howley.

Celebration of Excellence

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools hosted the annual "Celebration of Excellence" on February 4th at Adams Elementary School. The event honors outstanding teachers and donors.

The Foundation recognized over 65 educators, including teachers who participated in the Fund-A-Need program during 2007-2008. Fund-A-Need provides funding to assist in planning, developing, and implementing innovative programs and creative opportunities. Since 2003, the program has generated over $232,000 from 365 donors.

The Foundation also took the opportunity to recognize generous donors who gave during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The Foundation reveived gifts totaling $4.8 million (4,705 gifts from 2,438 donors) Pictured: Nominees for the R. L. Fredstrom Leadership Award

An in-kind gift valued at $5.4 million from Design Data’s Jim and Ginger Dager will educate future structural designers and engineers.

Future structural designers, drafting artists and industrial engineers in the Lincoln Public Schools this fall will have the opportunity to better prepare for careers in these fields, thanks to a generous gift from Design Data.All six computer labs in the six Lincoln high schools will benefit from the total of 168 SDS/2 licenses granted by Design Data, founded by Jim Dager in 1981. In addition, all software support, all training, curriculum materials, posters, calendars and other support materials will be granted now and in the future to the foundation for the use of the LPS Industrial Tech departments.

The value of the grant to the foundation is $5.4 million. Design Data’s software sells commercially for $30,000 per workstation.“Kids and education have always been a focus of community giving since the beginning of Design Data,” said Ginger Dager, Design Data’s Education Coordinator. “We are happy to support the local community. We also donate to 36 other schools nationally. We are thrilled that students will benefit from this donation.”

Design Data is a company leading its industry producing software that serves steel fabricators, detailers, structural engineers and erectors. Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium addition and Haymarket Park were the work of Design Data. The SDS/2 saves and displays 2-D and 3-D images, specs and characteristics of the steel frame from its heaviest beam to the finest details of bolts and welds.

The Ed and Mary Copple Student Athlete Development Center at Seacrest Field was dedicated on October 16, 2008. 

Ed and Mary Copple donated $1 million to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to fund a Student Athletic Development Center at Seacrest Field in Lincoln, NE.

The Student Athletic Development Center will function as a place for athletes and community members to meet and train.  The multi-functional facility will provide a place students from Lincoln and across the state to build upon their skills and work for a healthy lifestyle.  Building good fitness and character in youth is important for their health and success throughout life.  The facility will help develop young athletes that may be future leaders on the field and in the community.  Students are the future of the country, and providing them with the best facilities and latest technologies is important for educational advancement.

The community-wide Kindergarten Kickoff program was held August 4-7, 2008.  This celebration of the beginning of these kindergartners school journeys was

supported by a gift from the James C. and Rhonda Seacrest Foundation through the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools.  Additional support was given by Runza Restaurants.  Kindergarten Kickoff is a joint partnership of the Lincoln Children's Museum, Lincoln City Libraries, City of Lincoln and Lincoln Public Schools.

All children registered to attend kindergarten at one of LIncoln's public or private schools were encouraged to visit a Lincoln city library to register for their own library card and receive a Kindergarten Kickoff t-shirt.  Kindergartners wearing their t-shirts, and their family members, were admitted free to the Lincoln Children's Museum the week of August 4.  At the museum, the children were able to meet their teachers for the 2008-09 school year and enjoy the museum.

On May 28, 2008 Harley and Shirley Bair were recognized for their generous gift to the Foundation for

Lincoln Public Schools.  The Bairs donated a gift of commercial real estate valued at $700,000 to

establish the Harley and Shirley Bair Playground Endowment to enhance the playgrounds of Lincoln Public Schools.  Campbell Elementary will be the first school to benefit from the Bairs’ generosity, and in subsequent years the endowment will provide funding for renovation at playgrounds most in need of improvements.  Lincoln Public Schools will determine which playgrounds will be renovated each year. 

The Bairs have a long history of charitable giving including gifts to the Lancaster Youth Softball Association and the Sunken Gardens.  This legacy gift for playgrounds will have a lasting effect on all Lincoln Public Schools and benefit the entire community.  School playgrounds are increasingly becoming the neighborhood playgrounds of choice, and they provide students with opportunities for physical and social development and build strong and safe neighborhoods.

“Within the past six years, research has shown a direct correlation between physical activity and improved academic performance.  Physical activity has been shown to positively affect concentration, memory, and classroom behavior,” said Marybell Avery, Lincoln Public Schools Curriculum Specialist for Health, Physical Education and Character Education.

Shirley Bair said, “We love seeing how the fruits of our work can now bring pleasure and opportunities to others.  It has brought us great joy to see what our contributions have done to benefit youth and families in Lincoln.”  Harley added, “It is a pleasure to leave a gift to the Lincoln community in appreciation for all the Bair Machine Company employees and their families whose dedication helped us be successful.  This is one way Shirley and I can say thank you and not only give back to them, but continue helping our entire Lincoln community thrive.”

“We hope the Bair gift sets an example for other community members to get involved with our schools,” said Foundation President, Barbara Bartle.  “It’s important to build opportunities for our youth who are our next great doctors, scientists and community leaders.”    

The Bairs’ gift is the second largest individual gift in the history of the Foundation, following the recent $1 million gift from Ed and Mary Copple.  With these gifts, the Foundation has cash and pledge commitments of $6.3 million towards a five-year, $10 million campaign. 

BackPack Extra Mile

The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools donated 500 bottles of water for the

BackPack Extra Mile walk on April 26, 2008.  This donation by the Foundation for LPS made a difference in the effort to raise funds to feed hungry children in our community.

Historic gift made to Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools

LINCOLN, Neb. – Lincolnites Ed and Mary Copple donated $1 million to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to support a Student Athlete Development Center at Seacrest Field.  The gift is the largest donation in the history of the Foundation, surpassing a previous contribution from Tom and Nancy Osborne to the TeamMates Mentoring Program.

Foundation Receives 2006 BBB Integrity Award

The 2006 Better Business Bureau Integrity Awards were presented on May 17, 2006, at the Cornhusker Marriott. The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools was awarded the 2006 Integrity Award in the charitable organizations category.

The BBB Integrity Awards were created to promote the importance of ethical business practices and to gain public recognition for businesses that go "above and beyond" in serving their customers, suppliers, employees and communities. The awards recognize businesses for their commitment to maintaining cultures that consistently set exceptionally high standards of behavior in buyer and seller relationships.

In its first 16 years, the Foundation for LPS has impacted the lives of over 65,000 students in the Lincoln Public Schools by providing the three "Rs": Raising funds, recognizing excellence in the schools, and reinforcing positive relations with the community. With the development of stringent policies, procedures, and by-laws; the appropriate use of technology; excellent board and trustee leadership from a broad group of community members; ethical staff practices; membership in professional and community organizations; and outstanding customer service; the Foundation demonstrated its commitment to the BBB’s mission of fostering an ethical community.

With the culmination of the lengthy application process, staff and board representatives of the Foundation proudly accepted the Integrity Award--only the second charitable entity to receive this recognition in Lincoln!